A four-storey building collapsed on Saturday morning in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos, causing widespread panic and leaving many feared trapped beneath the debris.
At least five adult men were rescued, the incident occurred at Oremeta Street, along the Lagos-Ogun border, and involved a structure that housed the popular Equal Right Restaurant.
Eyewitnesses reported that the building came down at approximately 11 a.m., sending shockwaves across the community.
“People were screaming for help, and there was dust everywhere. It was terrifying,” said Femi Saheed, a resident who witnessed the collapse.
His account painted a clear picture of the panic that followed the sudden disaster.
The collapsed building, which was reportedly still under construction, is suspected to have structural defects.
It is alleged that the structure differed from the original approved plan.
Emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), were notified but had not arrived at the scene as of the time of filing this report.
Residents expressed growing frustration and concern over the delay in rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, people in the area made attempts to dig through the rubble using basic tools in hopes of rescuing trapped victims.
The Ojodu-Berger axis, known as the gateway into Lagos from cities such as Benin and Ibadan, witnessed heavy traffic and confusion as people gathered near the collapsed building.
Meanwhile building collapse in Lagos remains a troubling trend which further proves the need for stricter regulation and proper urban planning.
More importantly, it shows the urgent need for developers to follow approved architectural plans and use safe building practices.
